Derby boss Wayne Rooney admits this season's Championship survival fight has been emotional.

Rooney has turned a 21 points penalty around to give Derby a fighting chance of staying up.

"Derby is more than a football club," Rooney said.

"It gives everybody in this city hope. It gives kids the right to dream. It gives young players opportunities. It's incredible that it's been left in this situation.

"It needs to remain in the football pyramid. If not there will be a lot of hearts broken."

He added: "It's been incredibly tough at times. It's been emotional. I have seen staff lose jobs. I felt the right way to go about this was to try and burden myself and take pressure off staff and players.

"I know they look to me for guidance and I try. The results and the efforts of the players and staff have been incredible. The players believe in me and I am more than capable of dealing with the stuff off the pitch. I am really good at switching off.

"I have four children which helps. When we have a day off I go walking with my wife and enjoy time with the family.

"For my own sanity, I need to allow myself that time."